U.S. patent number 5,943,966 [Application Number 08/911,654] was granted by the patent office on 1999-08-31 for flexible furniture system with adjustable and interchangeable components.
Invention is credited to Jaime U. Machado, Mikhail L. Marsky.
United States Patent |
5,943,966 |
Machado , et al. |
August 31, 1999 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Flexible furniture system with adjustable and interchangeable
components
Abstract
A furniture system having a countertop midsection, two tower
units with gliding base, a rigid screen, and flexible partitions.
Using the tower unit shaft's neck, a pivoting connection is used to
provide the flexibility of arrangement. The arrangement allows for
any angle to be formed between each and every component part of the
furniture system without disassembling furniture. A layering design
of the tower units allows for multiple configurations. It also
allows each component to operate independently of each other.
Flexible partitions close the openings between rigid screens and
change the configuration along with the system. Furthermore, any
component can be upgraded to provide different functions or assume
different shapes or forms. An example is the replacement of the
shaft by a cage. This allows for a file cabinet inserts or another
bulky item to be inserted without eliminating the function of the
shaft's neck required to provide the pivoting point for all
components. Due to the ease of mobility, the entire system can be
easily altered in shape or form by the user at any given time. As a
result, the flexibility of the system makes possible the
accommodation of any floor plan configuration.
Inventors: |
Machado; Jaime U. (Fishkill,
NY), Marsky; Mikhail L. (New York, NY) |
Family
ID: |
25430650 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/911,654 |
Filed: |
August 15, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/64;
248/188.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
87/002 (20130101); A47B 83/001 (20130101); A47B
17/065 (20130101); A47B 2200/0069 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
87/00 (20060101); A47B 17/00 (20060101); A47B
17/06 (20060101); A47B 83/00 (20060101); A47B
057/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/64,94,93,56.01,100,197 ;248/188.8,188.9,188.91 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0168158 |
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Jan 1986 |
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EP |
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0815775 |
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Jan 1998 |
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EP |
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1463176 |
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Dec 1966 |
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FR |
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2323524 |
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Sep 1998 |
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GB |
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96/36815 |
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Nov 1996 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Chen; Jose V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Shenier & O'Connor
Claims
Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:
1. A furniture assembly supporting one end of a desk top
comprising:
a base having upper and lower portions and a central axis,
a circular platform having a radius mounted to said base coaxial
with said central axis,
first means connected to said base for supporting the desk top
beyond the platform radius, and
a further furniture element and second means rotatable connected to
said base and supporting said further furniture element for
completely rotating said further furniture element about said
base.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said first supporting means
includes first means for rotating the desk top about said axis.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the desk top includes an end
having a concave shape conforming to and abutting a portion of said
circular platform.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said platform is coplanar with
the desk top.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said second means is axially
spaced from both said platform and said first supporting means.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said upper portion includes an
axle having a shoulder at a lower end thereof.
7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein each of said supporting means
includes an annular collar for receiving said axle.
8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said annular collars each
include a bearing surface for contacting said axle.
9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said annular collars are
stacked on said axle, supported by said shoulder.
10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said further furniture element
is axially spaced from said platform.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said further furniture element
is axially spaced from the desk top.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower portion of said
base includes means adapted to provide low sliding friction with a
floor surface.
13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said low sliding friction
means comprises a smooth spherical section having a large
radius.
14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said lower portion of said
base further includes means adapted to selectively provide high
sliding friction with the floor surface.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said high sliding-friction
means is disposed adjacent said low sliding-friction means.
16. The assembly of claim 15, further including means extending
over and about said high and low sliding-friction means for
covering said high and low sliding-friction means.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said covering means is
axially displaceable along said central axis above said high and
low sliding-friction means.
18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said base comprises means
rotatable about said central axis, disposed between said upper and
lower portions, for supporting a storage cabinet.
19. A furniture assembly supporting one end of a desk top
comprising:
a base having upper and lower portions and a central axis,
a circular platform having a radius mounted to said base coaxial
with said central axis,
first means connected to said base for rotatably supporting the
desk top beyond the platform radius, and
a further furniture element and second means connected to said base
for supporting said further furniture element axially spaced from
said desktop.
20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said desk top is rotatable
supported about said axis.
21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the desk top includes an end
having a concave shape conforming to and abutting a portion of said
circular platform.
22. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said platform is coplanar
with the desk top.
23. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said second means is axially
spaced from both said platform and said first supporting means.
24. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said further furniture
element is axially spaced from said platform.
25. A furniture assembly supporting one end of a desk top
comprising:
a base having upper and lower portions and a central axis,
a circular platform having a radius mounted to said base coaxial
with said central axis,
first means connected to said base for rotatably supporting the
desk top beyond the platform radius, and
a further furniture element and second means connected to said base
for supporting said further furniture element axially spaced from
said circular platform.
26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said desk top is rotatably
supported about said axis.
27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the desk top includes an end
having a concave shape conforming to and abutting a portion of said
circular platform.
28. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said platform is coplanar
with the desk top.
29. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said second means is axially
spaced from both said platform and said first supporting means.
30. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said further furniture
element is axially spaced from the desktop.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the components of a furniture system
which specifically improve the flexibility, mobility, and
adaptability of the furniture system for its users. The furniture
components are interchangeable and adaptable to numerous layouts
and configurations. The unique feature of these components is the
ability to change an office layout without disassembling the
units.
2. The Prior Art
Today's office furniture systems claim to be versatile and
flexible, but they are not. All prior concepts in office furniture
systems were appropriate for the past when offices and businesses
had a steady slow growth rate and were able to expand within the
confines of an existing building. Today, however, businesses expand
at a much faster pace and to a further extent. Existing office
systems cannot accommodate the changing psychology of today's
workplace. Today's businesses require quicker on-site solutions for
changes that may be necessary on a weekly basis. These changes may
require a business to expand within the same floor. Some changes
may require an existing space to be reshaped, reconfigured and
rearranged using existing furniture components.
Originally furniture systems were inflexible and ill adapted for
changing office spaces. Later, furniture companies such as Haworth
and SteelCase created a modular office system by creating a
partition panel system in which all the components such as the file
cabinets, desks, etc., would be attached and dependent upon the
layout of the panels. Examples of this are reflected in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,038,539 to Herman Miller, Inc.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,593 to
Rosemount Office Systems, Inc.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,594 to Edward
C. Schairbaum; U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,928 to John Hellwig; U.S. Pat.
No. 4,154,492 to Dunning, Ltd.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,560 to Teknion
Furniture Systems; U.S. Design Pat. 334,483 to Margaret A. Johnson;
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,597 to Herman Miller, Inc. These office
systems rely heavily on their modular panels to organize floor
planning, the wiring of an office space, and a user's workspace.
Any configurations would then be limited by the panel systems. The
modular panels of those systems increased office layout flexibility
during the initial layout. But they became increasingly expensive,
limited in scope, and very difficult to rearrange.
Today's open office systems still rely heavily on such panels in an
ever-changing office environment. The use of modular panels
naturally suffers from a lack of flexibility. After the initial
design layout is created, one cannot easily reconfigure component
parts or rearrange spaces if a certain area needs to be expanded or
adjusted. The ability to change furniture components is
predetermined by the use of partition panels. It is difficult to
create different size spaces using partition panels. In addition,
it is most likely that office spaces are laid out back to back.
Since the furniture components are attached and dependent upon the
panels, a change of one office area affects another. If the proper
panel sizes or components to perform needed changes are not
available, new component(s) (panels etc.) would need to be
re-ordered making the project more costly. Reorganizing would then
produce leftover or unusable parts, which cannot be returned.
The user's area also suffers from the lack of flexibility provided
by today's office systems. For example, the office layout may be
set up perfectly for the current user, but the next user may find
it difficult to adapt to the current setup. This pertains to the
so-called one way design, as mentioned before where the initial
layout of components is flexible, however, the adaptability to
future office environments may be difficult.
Mobility of prior systems is difficult, cumbersome, and not easily
adaptable to changes occurring in modern office environments, even
if only a move across the floor is required. Mobility on a grander
scale is also cumbersome because prior art systems tended to be
unmanageable and complex in design. Unmanageable systems are
systems that need expert people to disassemble and move the
components of large heavy pieces such as panels. Complex systems
are systems that have unique detailing and connections not obvious
to the user. As doubly noted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,597 to Knoll
International, Inc., most furniture systems must be taken apart and
transported as smaller parts in a flat manner. Even these smaller
panels of most systems were 5' (feet) or longer. It is an absolute
requirement for these furniture systems to be ultimately emptied of
their contents so that parts can be moved to another location.
Finally, since these systems were primarily designed to fit in
right angled spaces, these systems fail to adapt to fluid curved
wall spaces (which is evident in today's new building and interior
design layouts). All so-called flexible furniture systems of today
deal with 90 and 180 degree angles. Anything in between would not
work and would look awkward. It is evident that the prior art does
not solve all of the mentioned problems. Our invention provides
solutions to each of these problems. In conclusion, office
furniture systems of today tend to be similar to those first
introduced many years ago. The prior art of office furniture
systems is not flexible enough for today's office environment
needs.
In summary, all heretofore known flexible furniture systems suffer
from a number of disadvantages:
(a) The prior art of office furniture systems rely heavily on a
panel system to organize office areas. This is turn, limits the
system from any future changes from its initial configuration.
(b) The prior art does not have the ability to remain flexible for
future changes. In addition new layouts are not easily obtained
without disturbing more than one office area.
(c) Numerous parts are required to maintain the flexibility of
prior art office furniture systems during initial installation.
However, due to the increased number of parts (panels, furniture,
cabinets, etc.) installation becomes increasingly expensive, and
difficult to rearrange the components.
(d) Prior art does not lend itself to adjusting the user's space
quickly. Components are dependent upon panels, so wherever the
panels fall, components such as desks and cabinets will follow.
(e) The office systems of today and of the past lend themselves to
permanence instead of mobility. The office furniture system must be
completely disassembled if the office areas were to be moved. It
may be concluded that prior art office systems are just another
alternative to full height wall partitions of the past.
(f) Prior art deals mostly with 90 and 180 degree angles. Any other
angles are not possible using 100% percent of all the
components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present
invention being applied for over prior art systems are:
(a) to provide a system where the furniture components govern and
organize the spaces created.
(b) the ability to change into any configuration, because each
component is detachable and interchangeable.
(c) to minimize the size of components so as to maintain the ease
of mobility of its components and also maintain flexibility after
installation.
(d) to enhance the ergonomics of the new system providing
adjustability and inter-changeable components for the user. Unlike
prior art, this invention is designed to enhance the ergonomic
environment of the user.
(e) to provide the ease of mobility without emptying its
contents.
(f) to provide the means where every component is allowed to rotate
independently creating angled connections other than the standard
90 and 180 degree connections. This in turn allows for greater
layout flexibility in unusual spaces such as curved walls and fluid
spaces.
Further objectives and advantages are to provide a furniture system
where possibilities for add-ons are endless, from placement of
computer components within the systems, to providing variations of
designs for particular components. For example, the desktop can be
ergonomically formed to accommodate a single user or more within a
furniture unit. Still further objectives and advantages will become
more apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and
drawings.
The unique features of the system are the pivot connection element
and the gliding elements. The pivot connection allows the
components to swing in any direction making endless rearrangements
possible. The gliding element is a simpler and more efficient
replacement for standard fixture coasters. It performs a double
function as a wheel as well as providing the base for the pivoting
unit.
With the computerization of modern offices, large file cabinets and
storage units are becoming less and less essential. As a result,
our system provides workers with unprecedented ease and mobility to
reshape their working environments. It enables them to quickly
change their office configurations, install cables, and add
elements by themselves without requiring specially trained
technicians. The invention is absolutely fluidly adjustable to any
configuration and can be adjusted by individual users. In addition,
each user can regulate their own degree of privacy in each
workspace. This is made possible by flexible, easily adjustable
clip-on partitions.
Because this invention does not contain rigid corner connections,
it allows for a 25% increased efficiency of space usage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings to which reference is made in the
instant specification which is to be read in conjunction therewith,
like reference numerals are used to indicate the parts in the
various views. Closely related figures have the same number with
different alphabetic suffixes.
FIG. 1a shows how several furniture units and their components can
be laid out to form office spaces.
FIG. 1b shows the same as FIG. 1a with another layout.
FIG. 1c shows a single furniture unit with partitions attached to
it.
FIG. 2a shows a layout of a furniture unit standing by itself
without any additional unit desks attached to it. Shown with two
Basic Tower components.
FIG. 2b shows a layout of a furniture unit standing by itself
without any additional unit desks attached to it. Shown with a cage
Tower component to its left.
FIG. 3 shows a layout of two furniture units side-by-side and how
each unit is capable of rotational freedom independent of each
other.
FIG. 4 shows how an additional desktop of any size may be placed as
a divider between the two furniture units.
FIGS. 5a-c depict a close up view of the basic tower unit and its
parts.
FIGS. 6a-b show a basic tower unit with an add-on shelf.
FIG. 6c is an enlarged view of the base of the basic tower
unit.
FIGS. 6d and 6e are cross-sectional views of the 2sliding base
showing the locking ring retracted and extended, respectively.
FIGS. 7a-b are close up views of the cage tower unit.
FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of the major components (but not
limited to those components) that play a role in the system.
FIG. 9 shows a close up of how a partition is attached to a counter
top midsection.
FIG. 10 shows a close up of a self-standing partition attached to a
counter top midsection.
FIG. 11 shows how a curved partition may be attached to a tower
unit via an arm bracket. Cage Tower is shown with this example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Typical embodiments of systems according to the present invention
are illustrated in FIG. 1a through FIG. 4. Its parts are shown in
detail in FIG. 5a to FIG. 11.
Referring now to FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, 3 and 4, components of
our furniture system may be used to organize any office space. A
furniture unit includes a countertop midsection 10-3, and two tower
units 10-1 and 10-2 which can be used in any combination. Both
towers (10-1 and 10-2) are similar in function except cage tower
10-2 has a swivel cage feature 10K and the other, basic tower 10-1,
does not. To further explain the individual parts we shall start
with basic tower unit 10-1.
FIGS. 5a-5c and 6a-6e all show basic tower unit 10-1 which is the
primary unit for our invention and includes a central shaft 10F
which is attached to a gliding base 10J, for example by engaging
threads 11A with threads 11B. Base 10J also includes a threaded
external cylindrical surface 11c. This threaded surface 11c is used
for engaging a locking base ring 10H, which has a corresponding
inner cylindrical threaded surface 11D. When rotated downwardly
(FIG. 6e), locking base ring 10H frictionally engages the floor
preventing movement of glider 10J and stabilizing central shaft
10F. Base ring 10H may be annular (FIGS. 5b, 5c, 6b and 8), an
apertured disk (FIGS. 6c, 6d and 6e) or disk shaped (FIG. 7b).
Furthermore, the central base cover 10G is hollow and lowered to
cover the locking mechanism.
When the tower unit 10-1 or 10-2 is going to be relocated, base
ring 10H is rotated upwardly (FIG. 6d) out of engagement with the
floor so that glider 10J can glide in any direction. The bottom of
glider 10J is a spherical section 11E of large radius. The
spherical section provides a reduced surface area for contacting
the floor while permitting the base to slide over carpeting or
other unevenness in the floor surface. Several, preferably four,
bumps or protrusions 11F of relatively small diameter are
positioned on the spherical section. These bumps help to stabilize
the assembly if it begins to tip over. The gliding base
configuration has a relatively low profile, compared to
equivalently mobile rollers or casters, making it easier to
conceal. In addition, the gliding base may be manufactured from any
suitable material, e.g. plastic, making it durable, inexpensive and
lightweight.
FIGS. 5b, 5c, 7b and 8 show neck portion 10E at the top of the
central shaft 10F. Two collar rings 10D are disposed on the shaft's
neck 10F if no add-on attachments are used (explained later).
Finally, a circular countertop called a circular cap 10A-10C
completes the basic tower.
Cage tower 10-2 is shown in FIGS. 7a, 7b and 8 and is similar in
concept to the basic tower 10-1, except the cage 10K replaces the
central shaft 10F. Please note that the top and bottom of both 10F
and 10K share similar details for attaching components, etc. The
cage 10K allows attachments of large de-centralized components such
as shelving, storage, file cabinets inserts 10L (shown), etc. The
cage 10K and file cabinets 10L will be equipped with typical
standard sliding apparatus and locking devices, allowing the file
cabinet to slide into the cage to a locking position. The cage
itself with its contents can be rotated along its axis. The file
cabinet 10L can also be removed later and interchanged with another
type of component increasing future flexibility. Similarly circular
caps 10a-10c are mounted atop the cage tower. Examples of cage
tower 10-2 in practical furniture arrangements can be seen in FIGS.
1a-4.
The next feature of our invention are the endless additions
possible by removing one or two collar rings 10D from the shaft's
neck 10E, by sliding 10D in an upward motion, and sliding on add-on
arms 22A-22C, as can be seen in FIGS. 6b, 7a, 7b and 8. The add-on
arms allow endless attachments such as a keyboard tray, a small
shelf 24, a large countertop 10-3 (FIGS. 2c and 8) to be attached
to neck 10E. Up to three add-ons are possible for each tower unit,
including the cap. When in place, the add-on arms can be rotated
360.degree. independently of each other. The donut-hole in the
add-on arm opening shall have a bearing surface or sealed bearing
13. This would allow for a smooth operation.
It is the add-on arm that provides the ability to connect all of
the three major components, (the two tower units and the
midsection), to each other. It also allows each component to move
independently since they are axially spaced from each other on neck
10E.
A counter top midsection 10-3 is a desktop which is contoured, i.e.
circularly concave, at its ends 20A (FIG. 8) to allow for rotation
between itself and the adjoining caps and tower units that it is
attached to. Countertop midsection 10-3 is attached to a central
bar 22C shown in FIG. 8 and disposed in the same plane as caps 10C.
Central bar 22C includes a U-shaped depression to support a further
arm for a monitor or a privacy panel shown in FIG. 9, which, in
case of the monitor, may swivel from the center of the countertop
midsection. Other partitions are shown in FIG. 10. Shelf 24 is
axially spaced below cap 10C and countertop midsection 10-3
allowing it to pivot 360 degrees.
The furniture units of the invention operate together as a system
as follows. The basic furniture unit comprises two tower units 10-1
and 10-2 and a counter top midsection 10-3. Connecting the
mentioned components requires the add-on arm 22A-C. The tower unit
contains a shaft where its neck 10E is used to provide a connection
for the add-on arms. Each add-on arm has a ring opening 13 where it
would slide onto the shaft's neck. This in turn allows for any
components (ranging from shelf, keyboard shelf, drawer, second
counter top, etc.) to be added by attaching to the add-on arm
22A-C. The add-on arms are able to rotate about the shaft's neck
10E. In turn, the shaft neck's 10E layering design provides room
enough for additional add-on arms to be attached simultaneously and
also rotate (or operate) independently of each other.
All components are attached in a similar manner. As shown on FIGS.
1a-b, using a pivotal connection between each and every component
part and the tower unit's shaft, it is evident how flexible our
furniture system is. Each component has the capability of detaching
and re-attaching from one tower unit's shaft to another or
detaching and re-attaching to an arm attached to the tower unit's
shaft. For example, if we use the add-on arm 22A to attach a small
shelf 24 and the placement of the shelf can be placed on either
side of the user. It can be symmetrical with one on each side or it
be relocated and replaced with a larger shelf.
Also notable in our invention is the ease of how each component can
be independently designed to meet the user's needs. A furniture
unit may be composed of a countertop midsection to provide a
typical workstation for one person or two people. In other words,
the midsection can be independently shaped in any form so as to
provide room for one or more people. Multiple midsections can be
joined together by adding additional tower units. Partitions can be
added at any given time. FIG. 11 shows a partition 43 supported by
an arm 42 which rotates about shaft 10E. Alternatively, partition
43 may be supported by the edge of countertop 10C. Flexible
partitions can be attached to the system or stand independently. To
have continuous partitions or to close all the gaps between the
rigid screens, flexible partitions are used. They can be added on
any place or can stand alone. During configuration changes,
flexible partitions can change shape to accommodate the placement
of any system configuration. The design possibilities are endless.
Also, the finishes to be applied to these system are endless. All
other components of our invention are equally successful in that
manner.
In our invention, arrangements may also vary in quantity. Two tower
units are the minimum necessary to provide the stability required
for one furniture unit. The tower unit can also stand on its own if
one chooses. Using four tower units, a user can develop a unique
arrangement containing up to three furniture units. In plan the
layout looks like a three-legged pinwheel. Later a fourth furniture
unit may be added forming in plan a four-legged pinwheel. The
furniture system also allows each furniture unit to be arranged in
the same direction or facing each other, if the situation requires.
As one can see, the possibilities for arrangements are endless and
very versatile.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are
of utility and may be employed without reference to other features
and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the
scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may
be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing
from the spirit of our invention. It is, therefore, to be
understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific
details shown and described.
* * * * *